In 2011, Southern Ontario Water Consortium (SOWC) was created with support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Province of Ontario through the Ontario Research Fund, and contributions from member postsecondary institutions and other key partners.

With a new funding commitment from FedDev Ontario in 2016, we created the Advancing Water Technologies (AWT) program to support industry-led collaborative technology development projects. SOWC also benefited from new funding from the Province of Ontario to support research, events, and engagement to drive adoption of innovative technologies, particularly for “net zero energy” wastewater treatment.

In 2019 we rebranded as Ontario Water Consortium (OWC) recognizing the province-wide relevance of our work, and the importance of provincial policy and regulatory drivers for the adoption of water technologies.

OWC includes 10 post-secondary members: University of Waterloo, McMaster University, Ryerson University, University of Guelph, Ontario Tech University, University of Toronto, Western University, Wilfrid Laurier University, Queen’s University and Fleming College.

We have also established partnerships with the GRCA, City of Guelph and City of London. We have an MOU with Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) to support technology demonstration.

Vision

Ontario as a leader in the development and adoption of water technologies and processes that will solve water challenges both locally and globally.

Mission

To support and foster collaboration among Ontario companies and post-secondary institutions to drive technology development and adoption and enhance economic development through the growth of the water sector in Ontario.